FAQs on retirement.

64PLUS coaches clients who are contemplating or entering retirement. Here is a sample of questions that frequently come from clients. I have added responses that you may find useful. 

1.   People found me interesting when I had a job. How can I remain an interesting person in retirement?

Why not pick up a subject and learn more about it. You don’t have to enrol in a formal course, although there is much available on-line (and free!). There is a concept of life-long learning, although that won’t appeal to everyone’s taste. 

2.   I was hardly ever bored at work. What if I get bored in retirement? How can I cope?

There are two broad pathways you can take. You can sit with the boredom and see what emerges: possibly something unexpected. You can try new things, new activities or new approaches to old activities. Or you can try both pathways. 

3.   When I worked I was of value to my organisation and to other people. How can I be of value in retirement?

An obvious way to add value is to work in a voluntary capacity. Also you could try part-time work. What about mentoring younger people using your various skill sets? 

4.   At work I was surrounded by people. I worry that I will become isolated in retirement and that could lead to very negative outcomes.

Here’s something simple: join a group. You can find these in your community or on-line. Experiment. No-one says you have to stick to any particular group if it fails to meet your needs. 

What about working hard at your social life by making new friends and/or seeing old friends more often? Perhaps introverts won’t like this option so much, but others will. Note the deliberate use of the verb “work”. Don’t imagine that people will knock your front door off its hinges.